Intern Testimonials

Nick Henderson, SBLC Intern, Spring 2007

"My experience at the SBLC prepared me for practicing law by providing "hands-on" practical experience, in what amounts to a small law office. Law school classes are great for substantive knowledge, but there is virtually nothing in law school that prepares students to handle the nitty-gritty details used in every day practice. Not all lawyers spend every day in the courtroom, and some days there are no transactions to close. But, everyday, there are more calls to field, clients to meet with, memos to write, and documents to draft. My internship at the SBLC helped me develop the skills used in these everyday tasks—tasks I perform every day as a practicing attorney.

In addition to learning the nuts and bolts of everyday life in a small firm, the clinic also helped me to solidify the substantive knowledge I learned in law school. It’s much easier to develop your knowledge of business law when you are working on actual business deals. It’s easier to retain rules of corporate law when you actually have to employ them to help someone start a business. Remembering ethics rules is easier when you get to see how those rules impact your involvement in a business deal involving multiple people. Learning and reviewing the law while helping someone with their business is much more rewarding than burying your head in a book while studying for an exam.

All in all, the SBLC was a great experience. I would highly recommend the SBLC to all law students, whether or not they are interested in business."

Henderson Trauman, PC

Ethan Samson, SBLC Intern, Fall 2006

"The SBLC was a great starting point for learning how to interact with clients and conducting initial consultations. The Clinic is a good way to gain client interaction skills and to learn how to meet the needs of a variety of small businesses. It also provides an excellent insight into the scope and variety of problems small businesses owners, and their lawyers, tackle on a daily basis. While at SBLC I learned how to file the basic corporate forms in Oregon and drafted an LLC operating agreement. SBLC provided the context I needed to get off on the right foot in my first job as a lawyer. I had no idea there were so many small business owners who needed, but could not afford, quality legal counsel. It was fun to help people overcome the roadblocks they face as they get started building a business. Earlier today I organized a new corporate client, and I was more comfortable because of my experience at the SBLC."

Stoel Rives, LLP